I know of someone who retro fitted an 18-mm spaced bridge on a BN6 and he is happy as a clam.
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- Status
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,077
- 9,799
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
Wow, really? Thats very interesting. I ended up selling my BN6 because 19mm was just a hair too wide. I would like to play one set up like this sometime, I've thought about having one built, but cant afford a new BN6 let alone the upcharge for spacing. You happen to have any pics of that bass?
I'm sure getting a replacement Hipshot bridge to switch from 19 to 18 mm string spacing wouldn't be an issue... The issue I would imagine having is the neck width. You'll have extra space on the outside strings to the edge of the board towards the end of the board. If you can deal with that then you're golden.
He he, Tom you don't miss a beat! Yes, I prefer how the 18 mm spacing feels and the extra neck width hasn't been an issue. The only time it may seem wide is when you look at it, but unless you knew the spacing had changed you wouldn't notice!
View attachment 326264
View attachment 326265[/QUOTE]
These pics are with the 18 mm bridge installed. And yes, it doesn't look very different but most importantly it doesn't feel different, at least not to me, and I'm pretty picky about my setup
View attachment 326265[/QUOTE]
These pics are with the 18 mm bridge installed. And yes, it doesn't look very different but most importantly it doesn't feel different, at least not to me, and I'm pretty picky about my setup
These pics are with the 18 mm bridge installed. And yes, it doesn't look very different but most importantly it doesn't feel different, at least not to me, and I'm pretty picky about my setup
[/QUOTE]Hi David
Would you care to share more on the tone of your 5-piece neck compared to your previous 3-piece neck? And what wood did you choose for the 5 piece stringers, and why?
Thanks!
Certainly,
The main reason for 5-piece was to get a strong neck with maximum stability. IMO the stiffer the neck, the better, although I don't like graphite. Interestingly, when I ordered my first F Bass in 1996, George said 3-piece maple was the most stable...
I simply told Marcel Furlanetto about my concerns and he offered me a selection of three neck slabs that had been aged about 5 years, hence either would be extremely stable. One had wenge stringers, another bubinga and I can't remember the third. We sort of concluded that wenge was the strongest, but honestly bubinga would probably have been fine.
As far as the sound, it's hard to say. Definitely this bass feels and sounds snappier than my other F Basses and I attribute that to the neck being strong. I will definitely specify 5-piece for my next bass but I think any hardwood will do, be it wenge, ebony or bubinga. It's more valuable to me to get an aged neck slab than exactly what wood is in it.
This bass has a very resonant sound and singing quality, and it's a combination of all the parts, from the Hipshot ultra lite tuners and bridge, body weight and neck...My old Fender with a one-piece maple neck has plenty of tone too...
I hope that was enlightening!
Yes it was! Thank you for those valuable insights
The reason I asked is because I ordered a 5-piece neck as well (with wenge stringers too!), same reason as yours, maximum stability.. but I wasn't offered the aged necks.. haha.. oh well.. would stll be good (I hope
)Mine is a one piece body but with the Asian Ebony fingerboard (more warmth as I'm told)... can't wait for it to arrive
Will post some pics when it comes
Thank you so much again for helping me to understand...
F Bass in the wild: at Cafe Cordiale in Sherman Oaks, CA, Stan Sargent (from The Tonight Show) sitting in with his ultra funky satin finish BN5. Just sayin'!
Oh, and just 3-piece neck! Still funky...
Oh, and just 3-piece neck! Still funky...
Nice photo. And thanks for all the background and the fresher photos. You may have started something, David.
Posted this in the Strings forum also.
Just got a new to me F bass AC5 fretless bass. Amazing bass !!
I have F bass strings on it which are essentially LaBella super-steps. Exposed core on all strings.
Love the B, D and G strings. The E and A sound to " piano " like for my taste.
I know I want a round wound and ideally it would be SS but might need to be nickel. The need for exposed core is significant but not essential. The bass came to me with TI flats which worked fine.
I would like to use E and A strings that have a little more fullness and thump and less piano like tone but still are close to the round wound sound of the other three F bass strings that I will be keeping on the bass.
Thanks for any suggestions.
For Trade Only: My FBass AC-5 for your FBass AC-4
Just got a new to me F bass AC5 fretless bass. Amazing bass !!
I have F bass strings on it which are essentially LaBella super-steps. Exposed core on all strings.
Love the B, D and G strings. The E and A sound to " piano " like for my taste.
I know I want a round wound and ideally it would be SS but might need to be nickel. The need for exposed core is significant but not essential. The bass came to me with TI flats which worked fine.
I would like to use E and A strings that have a little more fullness and thump and less piano like tone but still are close to the round wound sound of the other three F bass strings that I will be keeping on the bass.
Thanks for any suggestions.
For Trade Only: My FBass AC-5 for your FBass AC-4
When I heard Edmond use DR DDTs (drop down tuning) on his AC5, I had to make the change. I LOVE em!
Here's an audio sample for you to check out for yourself. It really sounds nice, doesn't it?
http://youtu.be/PShk4kPYeOI
- Mar 29, 2006
- 164
- 9
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Dunlop Strings, Schroeder cabinets
Posting this in both the general Bass forum and in the F Bass club thread.
Fretless is my preference. I have a Turner fretless bass which totally nails the acoustic fretless sound for me. I owned a Rob Allen Deep 5 which was also amazing but I lean a little away from the uprightish sound which is why I stuck with the Turner.
Recenly acquired a Rosce fretless. Moved the neck pickup down next to the bridge pickup and I am very happy with this bass. But it was not the whole deal for me. Finally just went for it and bought this FBass AC-5. What an amazing bass!!! The reality is, I prefer 4 string basses. However, there are very few AC-4s around. So I bought the AC-5. I posted a FT [ my AC-5 for your AC-4 ] in the for sale forum but who knows if that will ever happen.
The bottom line is that I really want a 4 string. And now that I have spent the big $ for a great bass, I am wanting to see if there are anyother fretless basses out there that have the same tonal range and build quality as the AC-5. I really do not care about piezo. But it is essential that it have the same warm tonal qualities.
This video [ Thanks Tom7 ] really highlights the amazing AC-5 sound:
Kevin Woods is amazing in this vid. Sounds great but is an example of fretless tonality that is just a little in the more bright/nasal/electric tone and has less warmth . Most fretless bass sound like this. I really want the warmer tone of the AC-5.
If I could just have an AC-4, I would be done
Any other highend fretless 4 string basses that have this tone? Thanks !
Fretless is my preference. I have a Turner fretless bass which totally nails the acoustic fretless sound for me. I owned a Rob Allen Deep 5 which was also amazing but I lean a little away from the uprightish sound which is why I stuck with the Turner.
Recenly acquired a Rosce fretless. Moved the neck pickup down next to the bridge pickup and I am very happy with this bass. But it was not the whole deal for me. Finally just went for it and bought this FBass AC-5. What an amazing bass!!! The reality is, I prefer 4 string basses. However, there are very few AC-4s around. So I bought the AC-5. I posted a FT [ my AC-5 for your AC-4 ] in the for sale forum but who knows if that will ever happen.
The bottom line is that I really want a 4 string. And now that I have spent the big $ for a great bass, I am wanting to see if there are anyother fretless basses out there that have the same tonal range and build quality as the AC-5. I really do not care about piezo. But it is essential that it have the same warm tonal qualities.
This video [ Thanks Tom7 ] really highlights the amazing AC-5 sound:
Kevin Woods is amazing in this vid. Sounds great but is an example of fretless tonality that is just a little in the more bright/nasal/electric tone and has less warmth . Most fretless bass sound like this. I really want the warmer tone of the AC-5.
If I could just have an AC-4, I would be done
Any other highend fretless 4 string basses that have this tone? Thanks !
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Nice. Very Marcus.
BTW, I show that I've already given you a number... #219:
CLUB FBASS ROSTER (Part 3 of 3)
200. dessunx - BN5
201. Alex - BN6LE Replica, AC6
202. thewildest - BNF6
203. bassman10 - BNF6
204. edzaa- BN5
205. Danny R. - BN5, BN5, BN5, BN5, BN5, VF5
206. sha975 - BN6
207. Arabesque-bass - BN5, (AC5)
208. 74jb - BN4
209. bigjames - AC6
210. biggreddbass - VF5 (70s)
211. maddanthony_59 - BN4
212. Stewthebassman - BN6,
213. ialma - BN5
214. gridchin - VF6, BNF6
215. swedebass - BN5, BN6
216. Bassco - BN4
217. betavision - VF5
218. Sywannab - VF5, BN5
219. tallbass - VF5
220. Mikey69 - BN5, BNF5
221. jibreel - AC5
222. greenrositti - BN5
223. <Your name could be here!>
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